Xperia T review roundup

The Sony Xperia T (LT30p) has been out for a couple of weeks now and during that time we’ve seen a number of reviews pop up. We were waiting for an appropriate volume of reviews before doing our usual roundup. The Xperia T has had a mixed bag of reviews, the camera is praised throughout, whilst the design hasn’t won over most pundits. A constant theme is the fact that the Xperia T isn’t a big enough upgrade from the Xperia S and that the latter probably presents better value for money at current prices. Anyway, you can check out the full Xperia T review roundup below and remember to click the links if you want to read the full articles.

Xperia T review roundup

Android Central (Initial Review & Photo Review): “We’ve been impressed with the quality of both photo and video output from the Xperia T. Sony’s latest flagship lives up to its digital imaging heritage, generating high-quality stills, particularly in macro mode. All of our sample shots were taken in the Xperia camera app’s “auto” mode, with tap-to-focus enabled. In this mode, the phone seamlessly transitions from close-ups to landscapes. The Xperia T’s camera has excellent dynamic range, and though there’s no dedicated HDR mode, the camera automatically launches into backlight-corrected HDR mode wherever necessary. The phone’s 13MP sensor doesn’t seem to be as noisy as the Xperia S’s 12MP unit, though some noise is still apparent in low-light shots when viewed up-close.”

Cnet: “Is the Sony Xperia T fit for Britain’s most famous spy? Just about, but I can’t help but feel it’s slightly lacking in key areas. Yes, the processor is a step up from the one seen in the Xperia S, but rival devices like the Samsung Galaxy S3 give you more for the money, not to mention a larger screen. If you own the Xperia S, there’s little reason to view this as a potential upgrade, as enhancements over Sony’s precious flagship phone are minor. Apple’s world-beating handset is probably the one that Bond himself would want if he happened to be a real person and not a fictional character contractually bound to walk around with a Sony device in his pocket.”

Engadget: “We still carry a torch for Sony and its tech launches, but our attention is rightfully shifting to the competition. Having both the S and T models side by side, it looks like one is the prototype of the other and we’re not even sure which came first. Onscreen buttons and a marginally higher-resolution camera are certainly improvements, but a fully-priced Xperia T is hard to recommend over the now-discounted Xperia S.”

Gizmodo UK: “We thought the camera was a bit rubbish, as our first few batches of shots turned out rather poor. But it was a fluff issue. The recessed lens is an incredible fluff-sucking vortex that’ll soon assimilate entire pairs of your trousers, and is rather difficult to get in to clean out. So you might want to start packing a few cotton buds in your wallet to wipe it out before snapping anything important.”

GSMArena: “While we’ve looked at devices which are much better than the Xperia T on paper, we can’t forget to factor in build quality and design. The Xperia T feels sturdier and more solid than both the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S III (with the glaring exception of the poorly-designed microSD/SIM card cover), and the curved back panel not only makes holding the Xperia T a more pleasurable experience, but also separates it from a design template that currently dominates the market. Sometimes it’s not enough to simply have the best around – you want to make a statement. Where some makers let the numbers talk, Sony are trying to appeal to emotions with the Xperia T’s top notch design and feel. We’re happy with the meal, but we guess there’s room for dessert. And we sure hope Jelly Bean doesn’t take too long.”

The Inquirer: “Even though it’s officially James Bond’s phone, we found it hard to get excited about the Xperia T. It’s a great phone performance-wise, and the screen and camera are among the best we’ve seen, but it struggles to stand out from the crowd with its dull black design and its same old application software. That said, it costs less than its Samsung and HTC branded rivals, so it’s a good handset for those after a not too flashy Android handset.”

PhoneArena: “The Sony Xperia T doesn’t offer groundbreaking features compared to the other flagships out there, but it is a pretty compelling package nonetheless. The sturdy arched design will appeal to many, and the 13MP camera will let you capture those impromptu moments on the fly because of the dedicated shutter key. There are no major gripes with the handset either – it is zippy, with expandable storage and easy to access card slots. The only minor issues are with the screen – its coating reflects too much light outside, which tampers with the view under direct sunlight, and the viewing angles are weak. Our biggest expectations were towards the 13MP sensor, but it doesn’t offer much better capture than its predecessor, and the pictures and video quality is about what we find in the other high-end phones of today.”

Recombu: “It was so close to being an across the board contender, but short of the final round the Sony Xperia T ran out of juice. Nothing can take away from the fact that the T is a beautifully designed amalgam of the Xperia S and Xperia arc with some soft touch thrown in for good measure. It also offers a great screen, charming user interface and a very good camera as well as a class leading multimedia experience. Available on pre-order for just over £400, it’s one of the cheaper flagships as well, so competes aggressively with the likes of the HTC One X, LG Optimus 4X HD and Samsung Galaxy S3. In saying all that though, it can only be recommended with the disclaimer that it may well die before the day’s out.”

Pocket-lint: “But our biggest gripe about the Xperia T is the design. It just doesn’t feel as slick in the hand as rivals. It’s fatter than the HTC One X or the Samsung Galaxy S III, it nods to the Xperia Arc, but fails to embrace that wonderful waistline. If it’s going to be fat, it should at least carry a higher-capacity battery. And we can’t help thinking, even after plenty of time with the T, that the buttons are in the wrong places. The result is that the Xperia T is slightly more difficult to love than some of its rivals. But it also comes in as more affordable, thanks to its slightly below-top-rung position, so if budget is a concern and a large, impressive display is on your list, it’s certainly worth considering.”

Stuff: “In most Android handset bouts, the Galaxy S3 would come out on top as the superior smartphone – you can’t argue with Popup Play and Smart Stay for next-gen giddiness. And then there’s incredible battery life. But for some gadgeteers the plasticky build stops them dropping £500+ on the Samsung. If that’s you, and you want a big HD screen with Sony’s camera and entertainment expertise, plus features to feed your Facebook addiction in a slick package, the Xperia T is an excellent bet.”

TechRadar: “The Sony Xperia T is a very, very good phone. Everything about it is slick and well-executed and the performance is certainly what we expect from a £400 device. However, the Sony Xperia S was a very, very good phone. When a new model comes out, we look for it to improve upon the previous one and unfortunately, hand on heart; this doesn’t improve on the last generation of smartphones as much as it should. Admittedly, it’s not about simply ramming higher specs into a thinner and lighter phone – we’ve moved past that now. But it should be about offering a fresh experience with new features and offering us a die-hard reason to shell out for an upgrade.”